India skipper Virat Kohli’s lucrative endorsement deal with global sports goods giant, Puma, is the latest example of his status as an international sports icon.

India skipper Virat Kohil (right) has replaced his predecessor Mahendra Singh Dhoni (left) as the most sought after Indian sporting brand ambassador.(IPL Photo)

India skipper Virat Kohli is not just amassing runs by the plenty, he has also pulled off the biggest endorsement deal by an Indian sports personality with a single brand. The charismatic batsman made it official on Twitter when he said, “A new era begins now. With @PUMA. #Forever #ForeverFaster”.

With a Rs 110-crore endorsement deal with global sports goods manufacturing giant Puma, the Team India captain has further cemented his place in the big league as a global brand ambassador. The list includes Jamaican track legend Usain Bolt and his compatriot Asafa Powell, French football stars Thierry Henry, the former Arsenal and Barcelona great, and Olivier Giroud, the current Arsenal striker.

However, it is learnt that a major portion of the earnings from the mega endorsement is fixed and Virat Kohli, 28, is assured of at least Rs 12 crore per annum.

Virat Kohli’s eight-year deal also entails royalty based on the company’s performance globally.

The other Indian cricketers to break the Rs 100 crore barrier were Sachin Tendulkar and Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who were contracted to player management companies, who in turn got them endorsements.